Reviews

Let me start by saying that I know absolutely nothing about the DC Universe Online game and I have no interest at all in playing it. I don’t know how closely this comic series and the online game are going to be tied together and what if any impact one will have on the other. With that in mind I plan to approach this comic as if it was a stand- alone Elseworld miniseries.

Looking at it from that point of view this issue isn’t a bad start for the series. SPOILER WARNING The issue begins a few years in the future when Lex Luthor has achieved his ultimate goal. Thanks to an alliance with Brainiac Lex defeats and kills Superman along with most of the worlds other heroes. With their defeat Lex is ready to assume control of the world but naturally Brainiac has other ideas. No sooner has Lex achieved his victory then Brainiac betrays him (who couldn’t see that coming) and sets his own final plan in motion. Brainiac’s goal is, nothing less then, the destruction of Earth itself and the extermination of all human life. Realizing his mistake Lex seeks to recruit help among the few remaining heroes and villains in an effort to stop Brainiac. The issue ends with Lex and a small motley group of heroes and villains assembled at one of his secret bases preparing to strike back at Brainiac. END SPOILER WARNING

Overall, the artwork is nice, the story is sound and the characterization of Lex is spot on. All these elements combine to make this first issue an enjoyable but not spectacular read. The issue’s biggest drawback is the fact that the premise of the whole series simply is not original. I’ve seen or read one or more stories with a very similar premise. Still, it wasn’t a bad start to the series and as it progresses it may be that the ride more then makes up for the lack of originality.

Keith Forney